We begin the first edition of the Conflict and Resilience Monitor for 2026 with an article by Said Djinnit and El-Ghassim Wane. In their article they discuss the ongoing conflict in Sudan and the unfolding humanitarian crisis that has accompanied the fighting. Their article looks at lessons from past efforts to resolve conflict in Sudan and proposes actions that could be taken now. The importance and centrality of African leadership in bringing peace to Sudan is emphasised in the article.
This is followed by an article from Jessica Uiras who also writes about the conflict in Sudan. Her article discusses the AU PSC’s 1330th Communique on the situation in Sudan and various significant aspects addressed by the PSC. These include the position that there is no viable military solution to the conflict, while also discussing the role that African leadership and external actors can and will play in Sudan, amongst others.
Moving on from Sudan, Lesley Connolly contribute a piece about the need for innovations in peacebuilding in Africa, if the continent is to find ways to address ongoing crises. One such innovation would be to move away from undertaking post-conflict reconstruction and development only once the conflict has ended. One tool that can bridge the gap between emergency response and peacebuilding is unarmed civilian protection which is grounded in non-violence and local leadership in order to reduce violence and build trust.
Finally, Boikanyo Collins Nkwatle writes about the most recent developments in the City of Ekurhuleni’s governing coalition. Although the current situation was sparked by changes to the city’s executive leadership without coalition consultation, it points to the broader issue of a lack of political consensus amongst parties to a coalition and poor cooperation. The issue that fraught coalition dynamics raises is the likelihood that this will impact upon overall political stability and service delivery.
